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Loyola at a Glance

Social activist Ted Quant receives Loyola's highest honor

December 2, 2011

Ted Quant, social activist and director of the Twomey Center for Peace Through Justice, is the recipient of Loyola University New Orleans’ 2011 Integritas Vitae Award, the university’s highest honor. Quant was honored at Loyola’s Benefactors Dinner on Dec. 1, at the Roosevelt Hotel in New Orleans.

The Integritas Vitae Award is presented annually to an individual who exemplifies the qualities Loyola seeks to instill in its students. The recipient is chosen for displaying high moral character and selfless service, without expectation of material reward or public recognition, and adhering to the principles of honesty, integrity, justice and the preservation of human dignity. Past recipients include Mother Teresa of Calcutta, New Orleans Saints owner Tom Benson, H ’87 and the late Archbishop of New Orleans Philip Hannan.

Quant has worked for social justice in many capacities over the last 40 years. In his current work with the Twomey Center, Quant teaches and trains in cultural diversity, leadership, team building, conflict resolution, negotiations and communications to corporations, public schools, parent advocates, youth groups, government agencies and community organizations.

One of his many accomplishments includes being instrumental in developing New Orleans’ freeze plan and a drop-in center for the homeless when he co-chaired the Mayor’s Task Force on Homelessness. He also supported the development of a construction business that trained and employed homeless men and women. Quant has been co-chair of the New Orleans Public Schools Drop-out Prevention Taskforce that brought the Cities in Schools program and the Comprehensive Competencies Program to New Orleans. He also supported the effort that established the first New Orleans School-Based Health Centers.

“I not only felt honored that my colleagues would nominate me for this award, I also felt some pride when they talked about the work I’ve done over the years,” said Quant. “At the same time, when I consider the major contributions made by prior honorees and other colleagues, I am profoundly grateful for this honor. Receiving this award is a truly humbling experience.”

According to those who work with him, Quant epitomizes the characteristics for which the award stands.

“Ted has a heart of gold and finds good in everyone. He brings diversity to the university as well as the Twomey Center by his work with labor, education and conflict resolution,” said Sister Jane Remson, O. Carm., director of Bread for the World Louisiana in the Twomey Center.

In addition to the above affiliations, Quant is also a founding member and chairman of the board for Operation Reach, a youth leadership program. He is a founding board member, trainer and counselor for the 21st Century Youth Leadership Movement. He helped establish the C. J. Peete Power Computer School, and he started the first peer mediation program at Peters Middle School. Together with Educators for Social Responsibility and Safe & Drug Free Schools, Quant started the first comprehensive conflict resolution program in Orleans Parish Schools.

In 1988, Quant was presented the Medgar Evers Memorial Award for Service in the Area of Human and Civil Rights by the Louisiana Chapter of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference.

For more information, contact James Shields in the Office of Public Affairs at 504-861-5888 or jshields@loyno.edu.

Loyola at a Glance is written and distributed for the faculty, staff, students and friends of Loyola University New Orleans. It is published by the Office of Public Affairs, Greenville Hall, Box 909, 7214 St. Charles Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70118. (504) 861-5888.

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